A holiday weekend ended tragically after a Michigan man was arrested for fatally stabbing his sister’s boyfriend at a Labor Day BBQ. Cleo Lawson allegedly stabbed Kenneth Thomas on Monday, September 7, following a dispute over how to cook chicken.
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Michigan Man Reportedly Stabs Sister’s Boyfriend At Labor Day BBQ
Cleo Lawson, 62, allegedly stabbed his sister’s boyfriend, 60-year-old Kenneth Thomas, after arguing about how to properly cook chicken, according to the Hazel Park Police Department. The stabbing occurred at Thomas’ home in Hazel Park, Michigan, where he lived with Lawson’s sister. The couple was hosting the Labor Day BBQ when the tragedy occurred at approximately 5:20 p.m. Chief William Hamel shared a press release on Facebook on Monday, September 14.
“On Monday September 7′, 2026, at 5:20PM, Hazel Park Police Officers were dispatched to a residence for a stabbing,” reads a press release. “On arrival, Officers located an adult male (62yrs old) who sustained life threatening injuries and died during the attempt to treat the injury.”
“The victim (Kenneth Thomas) and his live-in girlfriend were having a barbeque when the girlfriend’s brother (Cleo Lawson) arrived. Lawson and Thomas had a dispute over how the chicken was to be cooked that led to a confrontation. It’s alleged that Lawson stabbed Thomas where he subsequently died.”
Community Reacts To Shocking Tragedy
The tragedy at the Labor Day BBQ left the community in shock as people reacted on Facebook. Several folks noted how sad it was that a dispute over something so minor led to a man losing his life.
Kristy Layne wrote, “Over chicken 
??”
Linda Wehmueller agreed. “over chicken? good grief.”
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.”Cleo Lawson Charged With Second-Degree Murder
Lawson was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, per CBS News, and is currently residing in the Oakland County Jail. Lawson was arraigned on Thursday, Sept. 10, but he was denied bond. A probable cause conference is scheduled for Tuesday, September 22, according to PEOPLE.
